The Film

The film series, The Affected, explores the historical and present day nightmare that is global agribusiness. By looking into devastating practices that have become business as usual, we show the audience the impact that this conduct has on their own lives and those of the workers who have become known as Los Afectados, The Affected.

Journeying from US boardrooms to the farming regions of Latin America, The Affected explores the diverse realities of farm workers, plantation owners, politicians, union leaders and multinational corporate executives. Intimate conversations, historic insight and snapshots from every angle of the agricultural industry connect the viewer to this globally relevant issue. In an age where multi-nationals claim environmental and socially sustainable practices, this film aims to hold them accountable.

A longstanding system of exploitation originates from the political manipulations of agribusiness in the former Banana Republics. From the massacre of thousands of protesting banana workers by the Columbian military at the behest of United Fruit Company, to the coup that overthrew Guatemalan president, Jacobo Arbenz, to the failed Bay of Pigs operation and to recent payments to paramilitary death squads by Chiquita; political meddling by the fruit companies has always borne fatal consequences.

The history will be examined and the atrocities of the past are paralleled with the abuses of the present as we demonstrate a pattern of social and environmental exploitation perpetrated by government leaders and corporate chief executives. These influential individuals have routinely conspired to realize their own narrow interests at the expense of their constituents, consumers and workers alike.

The Affected: Beyond the Republics

This installment takes a close look at the kidney failure epidemic currently sweeping northern Nicaragua. Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD, has claimed as many as 3000 lives in this municipality of 60,000 over the last decade, predominantly those of sugar plantation workers. Epidemiologists have confirmed the problem as a full-blown epidemic, referring to it as ‘a veiled genocide.’

This story is a grim reflection of some of the hidden costs found in the emerging biofuel industry. As giant agricultural and energy companies merge we find that the needs of workers and their communities are left behind. Workers help to produce fuel for cars they will never afford at the expense of their health and the land needed to grow their most basic food staples.

We uncover a system built on lies and misplaced hope. By investigating misguided subsidies in the Midwest, irresponsible labor practices, dangerous genetic modification and pesticide practices throughout the developing world and at home this film uncovers the hidden costs of ‘green’ fuel.

The Affected: Food is Fuel

Future installments in the series will address mining practices, genetic modification of crops, and other issues that impact the lives of workers, their families and their culture.

Future Additions to the Affected Series:

THE FILMS